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Appendix 1: Coding Framework
Coding different levels and types of information
Not all levels and sources of information about drug markets and drug availability can be treated equally. Information collected during interviews with drug users/dealers will be evaluated in terms of its proximity to direct experience of accessing drug markets. However, the type of experience reported will also vary, depending on the source of that information and the perceived impact of drug use on them. Thus community members will be more worried about drug-related crime than accessing drug markets on their own account. Illustrative quotes are provided in the table below. Some drug users / dealers may put their current practice in the 2nd hand format if they don't fully trust the researcher they are talking to ( i.e. they may cite their mate as dealing to cover up their own personal dealing. This ensures that they don't look like " the bad guy" whilst still making a point about local dealing Information provided might also be checked against other evidence, e.g. patterns of police arrests for drug dealing and/or acquisitive crime, patterns of needle finds, etc.
| Drug user | Parent/carer | Community member |
|---|
Experience | I've bought drugs in that street | I caught John stealing money from my purse | I don't go out at night any more for fear of being mugged |
|---|
2 nd hand experience | Mac says the best place to score is…… | Jimmy says he gets his drugs from that estate | Next door got broken into last week. The police said it was probably a druggie |
|---|
Hearsay | They say the best place to score in Tannochbrae is… | No wonder John can't get off drugs, we're surrounded by dealers | You should try…... Estate; that's where all the druggies are! |
|---|
Defining different markets
The research will start with the hypothesis of the open/closed market dichotomy, but is prepared to adjust or reject this approach should the evidence collected indicate the need for this.
Open markets
These are markets where drugs are available without any prior arrangements and can be accessed by any potential buyer. The only limiting factor is knowledge of the areas where the open market operates. Vetting of buyers is done on the spot, and may limit type of drug or quantity available, e.g.
- Drugs sold openly in residential areas from street sellers - streets, estate corners, known houses
- Drugs sold openly in recreational settings - clubs, public houses etc.
- Drugs sold openly in public gathering places - railway stations, shopping centres etc.
- Drugs sold openly in service settings - drug agencies, hospital car parks, social care facilities, hostels etc.
Closed markets
These are markets where the potential buyer requires more advance information to get access, and may even then not be allowed into the market. Limiting factors include knowledge of the right people to contact and the places to go or numbers to ring. Vetting of buyers is often more rigorous. Use of the drugs purchased may occur in the same setting as delivery, e.g.
- Drugs sold from someone's house (supplier or intermediary) only by prior arrangement
- Drugs sold in a public setting only by prior arrangement
- Drugs ordered, sold and delivered by supplier or intermediary
- Drugs supplied by a sex worker
Experience gained from previous RSDC research suggests that the situation on the ground is a great deal more complicated than the above dichotomy suggests, with the presence of hybrid and/or travelling drug markets in many areas. This will be taken as a starting point only.
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